St. Stephen’s Cathedral is defined by its steeply pitched roof, which is covered in two hundred thirty thousand colorful glazed tiles arranged in a striking zigzag pattern. This Gothic cathedral, known locally as the Steffl, has served as…
Modern Architecture Battles
This self-guided walk charts the fierce design clashes of Vienna's historic center, where ultra-modern architecture sits directly opposite centuries-old imperial monuments. You will stand before the stark facades, metallic interventions, and mirrored glass that shocked local traditionalists and shaped the city's ongoing debate over preservation versus progress.
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1. St. Stephen's Cathedral
2. Haas-Haus
The Haas-Haus is defined by a polished, curved glass facade that reflects the gothic spires of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Designed by Austrian architect Hans Hollein and completed in nineteen ninety, the postmodern building stands at…
3. Judenplatz Holocaust Memorial
The Judenplatz Holocaust Memorial is a massive, concrete block sitting in the center of the square, recognizable by its textured surface of inward-facing, cast-concrete books. Unveiled in the year two thousand, this monument was designed…
4. Schullin Wien
Schullin Wien is a jewelry house defined by its connection to Viennese architecture, particularly through the designs of Hans Hollein. Herbert Schullin founded the business in Vienna in nineteen seventy-four, and the company is known for…
5. Retti Kerzengeschäft
The Retti candle shop on Kohlmarkt stands out for its polished aluminum facade and a sharp, zig-zag fold that frames the entrance. Completed in nineteen sixty-five, this tiny storefront, only twelve feet wide, was the first built project…
6. Looshaus
The Looshaus stands at the corner of Michaelerplatz, recognizable by the stark contrast between the green Cipollino marble cladding its lower levels and the plain, unadorned white plaster that covers the four residential stories above.…
7. Albertina
The Albertina features a massive, wing-shaped roof that stretches out over its entrance, a modern steel structure designed by architect Hans Hollein. This palace occupies a high point of the Augustinian Bastion, which is one of the few…